biodegradable
Biodegradable Plastic Garbage Bags
Does such a thing even exist? Personally, I just use a trashcan without a liner and just rinse it out when it gets funky rather than add more trash to the landfill, but this doesn’t work for everybody. There are those times where you really do need a garbage bag, and not all trash bags are created equal.
Jig-A-Loo recently sent me some samples of their EconoGreen Plastic trash bags. These are made of 100% recycled plastic, are recyclable and are also oxodegradable. All this and they cost the same as a regular old trash bag!
Oxodegradable means “to degrade over time when exposed to oxygen.” For example, EconoGreen Plastics bags and drop cloths contain a unique additive that helps break down the carbon-carbon bonds in the plastic, reducing the strength of the bag when it is exposed to oxygen over a period of time (2-4 years). As the bag continues to degrade into smaller pieces it becomes a nutrient for microbes that consume the fragments leaving behind water, CO2 and a biomass. This process doesn’t leave any harmful residue or toxins.
Unfortunately, they do not degrade in a landfill, but then again, nothing does (see my recent article on how long it takes to biodegrade). While they don’t degrade fast enough for a backyard compost pile, they will begin to breakdown in 2 years if they somehow escape into the environment, and ultimately isn’t that where it counts? While it isn’t the solution, it is a step on the way to eliminating harmful plastics in our environment. I can’t wait to give these a true ‘real world’ test by letting one bag sit out on my balcony.
Available on Amazon, or your local Home Depot, they come in all sizes and even as drop cloths for your messy painting or remodeling projects.
› Continue reading
Sun Chips Compostable Bag
I just happened to see an amazing thing last night on television, a (seemingly) plastic snack-chip bag biodegrade in a time lapse in 12 weeks. Impossible! Or is it?
NatureWorks has developed a compostable bag for PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay Divison, the makers of SunChips. As with many claims of length of time to biodegrade, it is usually very dependent on the environment it is placed in.
This fully biodegradable bag is said to be able to decompose over 14 weeks when placed in a hot, active compost bin or pile—at home or at an industrial composting site.
Unlike most biodegradable plastics which just break down into smaller pieces, but remain in the environment as small bits of plastic, these are made from a biopolymer resin made extracted from plant sugar called polyastic acid (PLA). PLA is made from lactic acid which in turn is made from dextrose by fermentation. Dextrose is made from starch and starch is made from carbon dioxide and water. It is said to also lower the impact on greenhouse gasses when compared to plastics due to the fact that it’s made with plants that grow annually instead of petroleum (which takes millions of years to form).
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Shoes that Biodegrade, even in a Landfill?
I was shocked, just as you might be after my last article on how long things take to biodegrade. It seems to be biodegrade month here on The Chic Ecologist, so I am very happy to be reporting on a company that has developed a way to allow their product to biodegrade in a non-compost environment – particularly a landfill.
Sustainable shoes are starting to gain some attention from Toms and Reef, to even New Balance, larger shoemakers are getting into it. There have been a few pioneers in this industry, shaping it as they go, one of these brands is Simple.
Simple Shoes are coming out with a new line of shoes called BIO-D with a biodegradable outsole and midsole with an impregnated pellet mixture containing millions of tiny microbes to ensure it’s journey to dirt. Like their existing line of ecoSneakssustainable footwear, they are made with materials such as recycled car tire bottoms, hemp uppers, organic cotton linings, recycled plastic bottles (PET) shoe laces and foot beds, and water-based glues.
The process only begins in landfill or compost-like conditions, so they will not be a pile of dirt in your closet overnight. Because they can degrade in both anaerobic (without oxygen) and aerobic (with oxygen) conditions, they actually will break down in a landfill.
Verterra Sustainable Disposable Dinnerware Plates
I know it sounds like a complete oxymoron, but these picnic plates are both disposable and truly sustainable. Best when composted (as things don’t biodegrade in a landfill) to be truly sustainable cradle to cradle compliant, these sturdy plates are as much at home on your fancy dining room table as they are in the backyard. They feel as if they are made of wood, but actually are created by one of the least impact-full materials and processes: pressed fallen leaves.
It’s so simple and natural, it boggles my mind. Leaves that have fallen naturally are collected and pressed together using no chemicals, waxes or bonding agents, leaving them completely non-toxic and chemical free. This means no chemical binding agents or lacquers will be released into your hot food, and they compost easily and naturally. These are leaves that would have otherwise been burnt as agricultural “waste” but are instead formed into plates, bowls, and platters that are sturdy enough for both the microwave and regular oven.
The process itself is quite amazing as well. Using only 10% of the energy › Continue reading
How Long Does it Take to Biodegrade?
I talk a lot about biodegradable items, biodegradable soaps, and even biodegradable diaper services, but what does ‘biodegrade’ even mean?
In our effort to keep from burying ourselves in trash and waste since we are still very much a ‘disposable’ society, how can we reduce our impacts (other than the obvious re-use of materials?) By making everything biodegradable! Bio-degradation happens to just about everything on the planet to some degree, so lets put things into context, shall we? I’ve collected information on many of the most commonly used items, including so called biodegradable items to really put things in perspective.
An Apple Core
In a landfill: Never*
In a backyard compost: 2 weeks
In an industrial composter: days
In the ocean: 8 weeks
Your Starbucks Coffee Paper Cup
In a landfill: Never*
In a backyard compost: One Month
In an industrial composter:
In the ocean: 6 Weeks
A Biodegradable Bio-Plastic Cup
In a landfill: Never*
In a backyard compost: Unknown
In an industrial composter: Less than 3 months
In the ocean: Unknown
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Eco Friendly Laundry Detergent – Vaska
I have been interested in the different eco friendly laundry detergents out there for awhile now, mostly what seperates them? Are some better than other for the environment, are some better at cleaning? I set out to find out. I have been using Second Generation and Method laundry detergent for some time now, and from time to time I will buy Ecos, all of which I have been very happy with.
Enter Vaska, fairly new to the scene – they were nice enough to provide me with bottle to try out, so I gave it a shot. The Vaska came just in time to soak a fish oil stain out of a brand new pair of my boardshorts, and it worked flawlessly. I liked the unscented formula although it had a very mild lavender scent due to the botanical solutions being derived from real lavender.
In a washoff against leading brands certified by the major laundry industry group, Association of Linen Management, VASKA outperformed all the brands tested: Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, Ecover, Ecos, Tide and Arm & Hammer. VASKA removed eight common household stains—ketchup, mustard, red wine, grass, dirt, lipstick, coffee and olive oil-more effectively than all of its competitors.
Not only does it clean great, it is also clean when it comes to the environment. Recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Design for the Environment (DfE) program, both laundry detergent formulas are screened for toxins in their ingredients. It is also biodegradable and not tested on animals with only the following ingredients:
* Plant-based surfactants
* Vegetable conditioner
* Water-soluble degreasing agent
* Lavender extract
* Lavender scent (Light Lavender only)
* Filtered water
Pacific Plastic Trash Island
A very troubling recent find in our ocean was a huge ‘island’ of trash twice the size of Texas and more than 30 feet deep. Just imagine a 3 story Wal-Mart sprawling from the Mexico border up from California and Arizona, through Nevada, Idaho and the whole west coast (including Oregon and Washington) and you have and idea what I’m talking about. The overall area of this behemoth is twice that of the Continental United States given its depth. Now imagine that there are TWO of them: the Western Garbage Patch just north of Hawaii, and the Eastern Garbage Patch just east of Japan.
I can’t say it was that recent, as it was predicted by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) back in 1988 and has been tracked (and growing) ever since. So why has it taken so long to get out to the public and why are there still people who don’t believe in it’s existence?
Mail Green – CareMail GreenWrap Eco Friendly Shipping Packaging
I am a big fan of re-use (as is evident by my last post on bottled water and soda) and have always reused boxes, packing peanuts and bubblewrap for my shipping needs, but what happens when you run out? I usually just head down to my condo’s recycling room and pull out some boxes from the cardboard bin – but not everybody has access to resources like me.
For those people there is the CareMail line of shipping products
If you only need a little bit, or have a Staples near you, they also carry the CareMail line or recycled shipping products. Try and get creative in reuse first though, its much better for the environment, shows people you care, and gives your packages a little personal touch!
Green Water Bottles and Now The PlantBottle Soda Bottle
With beverage companies becoming much more aware of their ‘carbon’ footprint, and in a race to be the ‘most green’ many companies are in a hurry to green up their bottles. While Arrowhead Spring water has had the claim that they have the ‘greenest’ water bottle among bottled water companies with their Ecoshape bottles, the soda companies are now getting in on the action. Coca-Cola recently introduced their new PlantBottle and detail their steps toward a more sustainable bottle.
This new PlantBottle is produced using a blend of petroleum-based materials and up to 30 percent plant-based materials. Coca-Cola is using sugar cane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, to turn into a key component for PET plastic in the PlantBottle. This allows the bottles to be fully recycled without contaminating the traditional PET plastic recycling process, and reduces carbon emissions by up to 25 percent, compared with petroleum-based PET.
Biodegradable Natural Sponges
Another Green Festival find were sponges. This may sound odd, but how many of you think of sponges when going green?
Well I have two types of sponges to introduce you to, one is a skincare sponge for your body, the other is a natural scrubber sponge for your dishes and household. Skin and beauty products were well represented at the Green Festival, but the Konjac sponge caught my eye as being a bit unique. It is a product out of Japan that is handmade, bio-degradable and completely sustainable.
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Eco Friendly Interior Painting – Green Up Your Redecorating and Remodeling
So you want to paint a few walls in your house, but are wondering how to do it in the most green environmentally friendly way. Interior Decorating can cause a lot of waste and produce harmful vapors, but you can reduce these by examining your options a little closer. Take the simple task of painting a wall, you need a drop cloth to protect your floors and surrounding areas, tape for getting those clean edges, rollers, buckets, trays, etc. Professionals tend to have heavy duty equipment, built for reuse like thick canvas drop cloths and metal trays, but what about for the do it yourselfer who doesn’t have any use for buying these heavy grade materials and doesn’t have the storage for it?
First lets start with the materials. While a canvas drop cloth tarp would be best for large jobs, multiple rooms, or if you have the extra storage; for those one time jobs take a look at the biodegradable Eco Drop floor covering. It works just as those regular plastic drop cloths do, but with a biodegradable twist. Made with renewable and biodegradable vegetable based plastics, these will have a much easier time breaking down over time, and are renewable. At $3, it won’t break the budget and is quite comparable to your plastic alternatives.
When it comes to trays, there are many options. Ideally a reusable metal tray which you could use over and over again would be the most eco friendly solution. However, for those who need a disposal option, the Bio Tray is a biodegradable paint tray made from recycled cardboard with a thin layer of plastic on top (to prevent paint absorption into the cardboard). You can further extend the life of the tray (or swap colors easily) by lining it with aluminum foil for a quick color change and cleanup. Just rinse and recycle the foil when done, or reuse it for another paint job.
Rollers can be a bit more tricky as these are most certainly disposable after a few uses. I try to rinse and squeegee as much paint as I could out of them, but I usually could only get 1-2 more uses out of them before they became patchy and unusable. Now you can be more eco friendly with Whizz Green rollers made with recycled materials.
Paint can be just as if not more important when choosing decorating green. You want to select a paint with low, preferably zero VOC content (check to make sure the pigments don’t contain VOC as well, as this is how several paints that claim no VOCs actually have some). VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds and can lead to Sick Building Syndrome (the building isn’t sick, but it is making you sick). This is what gives off that harsh paint odor and causes headaches when painting and during the drying process. Nowadays these paints are easier to find as most major paint brands have a zero VOC paint available in their line. They tend to be more expensive, but usually are much higher quality, allowing for just a single coat and better coverage (you use much less paint).
You can find most of these products at your local Home Depot or Lowes, and ask your local paint store to stock them if they don’t. You may be able to order them over the web through several green decorating retailers as well. When decorating, if you can’t reuse, then look for items that are recyclable or have recycled content; and if you are going disposible, try and find biodegradable items to stay green.
[via daily danny]
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